21 replies to this topic

[mart356]

So, I was looking for some silver vinyl to cover up my crushed front, yet again (this is the 5th or 6th cosmetic patch) while I save up some wonga for the front rework. i contacted a local company, Sign Language in Witney Oxford that mainly did decal work, they said come over and we will give you some for free. Top bloke! http://www.signlangu....uk/contact.php So I did and got into a discussion.... now, I always wanted a black VX. As I will be getting a new front clam, will need respray etc but in my travels to try and find vinyl seems that loads of people are opting to wrap their cars and it's amazing, it looks like paint but has the benefits of being slightly tougher than the stone chipped GRP/ paint gel that I am used to. This is a revelation to me, maybe not to you. Anyone here gone the wrapping route? Any advice, pros/ cons? Or is it all a bunch o shite? The chap there said to me that there are all sorts of strengths of vinyl. Showed me all the 3M stuff they have. They don't do cars, only the big vans and stuff with all the graphics - top quality jobs too. I have a 3M swatch book with all the colours. Am dreaming of a wrapped VX.

[WrightStuff]

You need to talk to fiveoclock.

[darronwall]

paint it wrapping is for sky vans,its sh*t

[Bumblebee]

Paint it �

[davemate]

From what I looked at to pay someone to do it will cost 1500+ from this it will probably last 5 years at most, and will likely rip off any paint, or at least ruin large sections, when you do come to remove it A full respray however will cost more, but it is paint and is, we hope, more permanent. Vinyl does not chip, but hit something or something scratches it and it may start to peel which is worse. However, look on here and a chap did do it himself, at which point the material cost is very low and if you count your labour as free you can achieve some very great effects. Out of interest, how did you get hold of a 3m swatch book? I would really like one of these. Also have a look for "plastidip mg" on te Internet for another idea

[Wolfstone]

Rolf has had his wrapped (in orange) in the last few months. Its a cracking job too.

[GiGo]

Rolf's wrapping job is mint! Looks the dogs dodahs! Personally I would go for paint, then get venture sheilded on top of that

[SteveA]

Even if you do go down the vinyl route you will still need to prep the body work to a similar standard that you would if you were getting it sprayed, it will not hide anything. In general if you can do it yourself it's worth doing, if not a professional will charge 1K+ so just get it painted.

Vinyl does not chip

Believe me it definately does chip. There are tougher grades but these are very difficult to use as wrapping material.

ETA - My car is wrapped btw

Edited by SteveA, 25 June 2012 - 08:54 PM.

[techieboy]

Depends on whether you want a nice shiny black finish like JG's car or just something that's black. Paint and lacquer are the only way you're going to get a real glossy shine.

[ChrisS1]

Looking good Steve

[Hark]

I've seen gloss black wrap now. It's not as good as paint but it's not far off. Dunno how it lasts though.

[H1 HWK]

Looking good Steve

Steve is too modest....search for his "wrap star" thread. I've had some vinyl from the same company, but messed up my black/purple pearl hardtop job, ran out of skill halfway through. If you contact them they'll send you out a sample brochure to help you choose (KPMF - Luke Jones info@mdpsupplies.co.uk). Good service/price if you do give it a go. I think the matt stuff will be easier to get looking acceptable than anything glossy.

Good luck, post up your results.

[LazyDonkey]

Paint. As others have said the wrap will show up every flaw, and if my stripes are anything to go by, it will look shite in a few years.

[siztenboots]

the dinoc loses its shine fairly quick, mines suffered from cold winter and its gone brittle.

[Bumblebee]

I've got hexi's vinyl wrap on my mirrors spoiler etc I've heard hexi's is stronger than 3m and it also has a longer guarantee than 3m,I believe pink princess uses hexi's

Edited by Aimy, 26 June 2012 - 10:11 AM.

[LazyDonkey]

the dinoc loses its shine fairly quick, mines suffered from cold winter and its gone brittle.

To be fair mine's been on a couple of years and the car doesn't get garaged but it's fit only for the bin now.

Which is an issue as if i try and take it off it will probably take the pain with it....

[SteveA]

I've got hexi's vinyl wrap on my mirrors spoiler etc I've heard hexi's is stronger than 3m and it also has a longer guarantee than 3m.

Hexis and 3M are both company names. Each company has a range of films to suit all applications. Wrapping film by design is a very thin film to allow for contour adhesion and therefore is prone to chipping. It will be fine on spoilers and other things that do not get direct stone contact. Front clams however will certainly chip. Take no notice of the guarantee, it will not cover stone chips.

[mart356]

hmm that put that one to bed then. Might be worth it if I have some stripes added.... hmm that just made me think of doing a zebra car!

Zeb

How much would a typical respray cost??

If my car is silver and i want it black the chips will show up like diamonds :-(

[TazN]

Respray costs vary dramatically. How much prep work would you do yourself?

[Hark]

Respray quotes I've had vary from 2k up to 5k.